Transition metal compounds, polymerization catalysts for olefins, olefin polymers and process for their production

ABSTRACT

Useful as a catalyst component for polymerizing olefin is the transition metal compound of the present invention represented by Formula (I):                    
     wherein M represents a transition metal compound of the fourth group in the periodic table; X represents a σ bonding ligand; Y represents a Lewis base; T represents a group containing a σ bonding atom; E is a specific group containing an atom which can coordinate with M via a lone pair; q is 1 or 2 and represents [(valency of M)−2]; r represents an integer of 0 to 3; R 1  to R 4  represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a hydrocarbon group, a halogen-containing hydrocarbon group, a silicon-containing group or a hetero atom-containing group.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a transition metal compound, a catalystfor polymerizing olefin, an olefin base polymer using the above catalystand a production process for the same. More specifically, the presentinvention relates to a transition metal compound which is useful as acatalyst component for polymerizing olefin and which is easilysynthesized, a highly active catalyst for polymerizing olefin whichcomprises the above transition metal compound and which efficientlyprovides olefin base homopolymers and copolymers, an olefin base polymerobtained by using this catalyst and a process for efficiently producingthe same.

RELATED ART

As a catalyst for producing soluble polyolefin, a catalyst called ametallocene catalyst comprising a compound having a cyclopentadienylring as a ligand containing the fourth periodic table group transitionmetal have so far been known (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.19309/1983, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 217209/1985,Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 167307/1990 and the like).These metallocene catalysts are characterized in that they providepolymers having a narrow molecular weight distribution and are excellentin a copolymerizing property, but they have the defect that complicatedoperation is necessary in synthesizing a metallocene compound and thatthe production cost inevitably comes higher.

On the other hand, as a novel catalyst which is different from them, thefourth periodic table group transition metal complexes of anon-metallocene base (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.315109/1999) and catalyst systems comprising various non-metallocenebase transition metal complexes (Japanese Patent Application Laid-OpenNo. 227608/1992, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 203106/1986,Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 115311/1991, InternationalPatent Publication No. 99-12981 and International Patent Publication No.98-27124) are developed in recent years. It is known that thenon-metallocene base transition metal complexes described above areeasily synthesized and provide catalysts for polymerizing olefins havinga high activity.

However, catalysts systems comprising these non-metallocene basetransition metal complexes are highly active to ethylene but have a verylow activity in producing homopolymers and copolymers of α-olefinshaving 3 or more carbon atoms such as propylene, and they are notsatisfactory from an industrial point of view.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Under such circumstances, an object of the present invention is toprovide a novel transition metal compound which is useful as a catalystcomponent for polymerizing propylene and other α-olefins as well asethylene and which is easily synthesized, a highly active catalyst forpolymerizing olefins which comprises the above transition metal compoundand which efficiently provides various olefin base homopolymers andcopolymers, an olefin base polymer and copolymer obtained by using theabove catalyst for polymerization. A further object of the presentinvention is to provide a production process for the same transitionmetal compound, catalyst, etc.

Intensive researches repeated by the present inventors in order toachieve the object of the present invention have resulted in findingthat a transition metal compound having a specific structure is easilysynthesized and useful as a catalyst component for polymerizing not onlyethylene but also propylene and other α-olefins and that a catalyst forpolymerization comprising the above transition metal compound and anactivation cocatalyst has a high activity and efficiently providesethylene (co)polymers, propylene (co)polymers and other olefin base(co)polymers. The present invention has been completed based on suchknowledges.

That is, the present invention provides:

(1) a transition metal compound represented by Formula (I):

wherein M represents a transition metal element of the fourth group inthe periodic table; X represents a σ bonding ligand which is bonded toM, and when plural X's are present, plural X's may be the same as ordifferent from each other; Y represents a Lewis base, and when pluralY's are present, plural Y's may be the same as or different from eachother; T represents a group containing a σ bonding atom which is bondedto M; E is a group containing an atom which can coordinate with M via alone pair, and E represents —OR⁵, —SR⁵, —SeR⁵, —NR⁵ ₂, —PR⁵ ₂ or —P(O)R⁵ ₂; q is 1 or 2 and represents [(valency of M)−2]; r represents aninteger of 0 to 3; R¹ to R⁴ and R⁵ each represent a hydrogen atom, ahalogen atom, a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, ahalogen-containing hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, asilicon-containing group or a hetero atom-containing group; R¹ to R⁴ maybe the same as or different from each other and may form a ring togetherwith an adjacent group; and when plural R⁵'s are present, plural R⁵'smay be the same as or different from each other,

(2) a catalyst for polymerizing olefin, characterized by comprising thetransition metal compound represented by Formula (I) and anactivation-aid catalyst as principal components,

(3) an olefin base polymer obtained by using the catalyst forpolymerizing olefin described above, and

(4) a production process for an olefin base polymer, characterized byhomopolymerizing olefins or copolymerizing olefins with other olefinsand/or other monomers in the presence of the catalyst for polymerizingolefin described above.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The transition metal compound of the present invention is a novelcompound represented by Formula (I):

In Formula (I), M represents a transition metal element of the fourthgroup in the periodic table, and the specific examples thereof includetitanium, zirconium and hafnium. Further in Formula (I), X represents aσ bonding ligand which is bonded to M, and when plural X's are present,plural X's may be the same as or different from each other. Said Xincludes a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a hydrocarbon group having 1to 20 carbon atoms, an alkoxyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, anaryloxy group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, an amide group having 1 to 20carbon atoms, a silicon-containing group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, aphosphide group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a sulfide group having 1 to20 carbon atoms and an acyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. Thehalogen atom includes a chlorine atom, a fluorine atom, a bromine atomand an iodine atom. The hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atomsincludes, to be specific, alkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl, propyl,butyl, hexyl, cyclohexyl and octyl and alkenyl groups such as vinyl,propenyl and cyclohexenyl; arylalkyl groups such as benzyl, phenylethyland phenylpropyl; and aryl groups such as phenyl tolyl, dimethylphenyl,trimethylphenyl, ethylphenyl, propylphenyl, biphenyl, naphthyl,methylnaphthyl, anthracenyl and phenanthryl. The alkoxyl group having 1to 20 carbon atoms includes alkoxyl groups such as methoxy, ethoxy,propoxy and butoxy, phenylmethoxy and phenylethoxy. The aryloxy grouphaving 6 to 20 carbon atoms includes phenoxy, methylphenoxy anddimethylphenoxy. The amide group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms includesalkylamide groups such as dimethylamide, diethylamide, dipropylamide,dibutylamide, dicyclohexylamide and methylethylamide; alkenylamidegroups such as divinylamide, dipropenylamide and dicyclohexenylamide;arylalkylamide groups such as dibenzylamide, phenylethylamide andphenylpropylamide; and arylamide groups such diphenylamide anddinaphthylamide. The silicon-containing group having 1 to 30 carbonatoms includes monohydrocarbon-substituted silyl groups such asmethylsilyl and phenylsilyl; dihydrocarbon-substituted silyl groups suchas dimethylsilyl and diphenylsilyl; trihydrocarbon-substituted silylgroups such as trimethylsilyl, triethylsilyl, tripropylsilyl, dimethyl(t-butyl) silyl, tricyclohexylsilyl, triphenylsilyl,dimethylphenylsilyl, methyldiphenylsilyl, tritolylsilyl andtrinaphthylsilyl; hydrocarbon-substituted silyl ether groups such astrimethylsilyl ether; silicon-substituted alkyl groups such astrimethylsilylmethyl and phenyldimethylsilylethyl; silicon-substitutedaryl groups such as trimethylsilylphenyl, and dimethylhydrosilyl andmethyldihydrosilyl. The sulfide group having 1 to 20 carbon atomsincludes alkylsulfide groups such as methylsulfide, ethylsulfide,propylsulfide, butylsulfide, hexylsulfide, cyclohexylsulfide andoctylsulfide; alkenylsulfide groups such as vinylsulfide,propenylsulfide and cyclohexenylsulfide; arylalkylsulfide groups such asbenzylsulfide, phenylethylsulfide and phenylpropylsulfide; andarylsulfide groups such as phenylsulfide, tolylsulfide,dimethylphenylsulfide, trimethylphenylsulfide, ethylphenylsulfide,propylphenylsulfide, biphenylsulfide, naphthylsulfide,methylnaphthylsulfide, anthracenylsulfide and phenanthrylsulfide.

The acyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms includes alkylacyl groupssuch as formyl, acetyl, propionyl, butylyl, valeryl, palmitoyl, stearoyland oleoyl; arylacyl groups such as benzoyl, toluoyl, salyciloyl,cynnamoyl, naphthoyl and phthaloyl; and oxalyl, malonyl and succinylwhich are derived from dicarboxylic acids such as oxalic acid, malonicacid and succinic acid.

Further in Formula (I), Y represents a Lewis base, and when plural Y'sare present, they may be the same or different. Said Y includes amines,ethers, phosphines, thioethers, esters and nitriles. As the specificexamples of Y, amines such as ammonia, methylamine, aniline,dimethylamine, diethylamine, N-methylaniline, diphenylamine, N,N-dimethylaniline, trimethylamine, triethylamine, tri-n-butylamine,methyldiphenylamine, pyridine and p-bromo-N, N-dimethylaniline,phosphines such as triethylphosphine, triphenylphosphine anddiphenylphosphine, thioethers such as tetrahydrothiophene, esters suchas ethyl benzoate and nitrites such as acetonitrile and benzonitrile canbe described.

Furthermore in Formula (I), T represents a group containing a σ bondingatom which is bonded to M and includes, to be specific, R⁶ ₂C<, R⁶ ₂Si<,R⁶ ₂Ge<, R⁶ ₂Sn<, R⁶B<, R⁶Al<, R⁶P<, R⁶N<, oxygen (—O—), sulfur (—S—)and selenium (—Se—) (provided that R⁶ is a hydrogen atom, a halogenatom, a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, ahalogen-containing hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, asilicon-containing group or a hetero atom-containing group, and whenplural R⁶'s are present, plural R⁶'s may be the same as or differentfrom each other). Among them, oxygen (—O—), sulfur (—S—) or selenium(—Se—), particularly oxygen is preferred in terms of easiness insynthesis and a yield.

Furthermore in Formula (I), E is a group containing an atom which cancoordinate with M via a lone pair and represents —OR⁵, —SR⁵, —SeR⁵, —NR⁵₂, —PR⁵ ₂ or —P (O)R⁵ ₂ (provided that R⁵ is a hydrogen atom, a halogenatom, a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, ahalogen-containing hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, asilicon-containing group or a hetero atom-containing group, and whenplural R⁵'s are present, plural R⁵'s may be the same as or differentfrom each other). Among them, —NR⁵ ₂ or —P (O)R⁵ ₂, particularly —PR⁵ ₂is preferred in terms of easiness in synthesis and a polymer yield.

Similarly in Formula (I), q is 1 or 2 and represents [(valency of M)−2],and r represents an integer of 0 to 3.

Moreover in Formula (I), R¹ to R⁴ each represent a hydrogen atom, ahalogen atom, a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, ahalogen-containing hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, asilicon-containing group or a hetero atom-containing group. These R¹ toR⁴ may be the same as or different from each other and may form a ringtogether with an adjacent group.

In these R¹ to R⁴ and R⁵ and R⁶ described above, the examples of thehydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms include alkyl groups suchas methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl,hexyl, cyclohexyl and octyl; alkenyl groups such as vinyl, propenyl andcyclohexenyl; arylalkyl groups such as benzyl, phenylethyl andphenylpropyl; and aryl groups such as phenyl tolyl, dimethylphenyl,trimethylphenyl, ethylphenyl, propylphenyl, biphenyl, naphthyl,methylnaphthyl, anthracenyl and phenanthryl.

The examples of the halogen-containing hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20carbon atoms include p-fluorophenyl, 3,5-difluorophenyl,3,4,5-trifluorophenyl, pentafluorophenyl, 3,5-bis (trifluoromethyl)phenyl and fluorobutyl. A silicon-containing group having 1 to 20 carbonatoms is preferred as the silicon-containing group and includes, to bespecific, monohydrocarbon-substituted silyl groups such as methylsilyland phenylsilyl; dihydrocarbon-substituted silyl groups such asdimethylsilyl and diphenylsilyl; trihydrocarbon-substituted silyl groupssuch as trimethylsilyl, triethylsilyl, tripropylsilyl, dimethyl(t-butyl) silyl, tricyclohexylsilyl, triphenylsilyl,dimethylphenylsilyl, methyldiphenylsilyl, tritolylsilyl andtrinaphthylsilyl; hydrocarbon-substituted silyl ether groups such astrimethylsilyl ether; and silicon-substituted alkyl groups such astrimethylsilylmethyl and bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl.

Further, the examples of the hetero atom-containing group includemethoxyethyl, diisopropylaminoethyl, furyl, methylfuryl, benzofuryl,methylthioethyl and thienyl.

Typical examples of the transition metal compound represented by Formula(I) described above are bis (2-diphenylphosphinophenoxy) zirconiumdichloride, bis (2-dimethylphosphinophenoxy) zirconium dichloride, bis(2-diphenylphosphino-6-methylphenoxy) zirconium dichloride, bis(2-diphenylphosphino-6-isopropylphenoxy) zirconium dichloride, bis(2-diphenylphosphino-4-isopropylphenoxy) zirconium dichloride, bis(2-diphenylphosphino-6-tert-butylphenoxy) zirconium dichloride, bis(2-diphenylphosphino-4-tert-butylphenoxy)zirconium dichloride,bis(2-diphenylphosphino-4,6-di-tert-butylphenoxy)zirconium dichloride,bis(2-diphenylphosphino-4,6-diisopropylphenoxy)zirconium dichloride,bis(2-diphenylphosphino-4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenoxy)zirconiumdichloride,bis(2-diphenylphosphino-4-tert-butyl-6-methylphenoxy)-zirconiumdichloride, bis(2-dimethylaminophenoxy)-zirconium dichloride,bis(2-dimethylamino-6-methylphenoxy)zirconium dichloride,bis(2-dimethylamino-6-isopropylphenoxy)zirconium dichloride,bis(2-dimethylamino-4-isopropylphenoxy)zirconium dichloride,bis(2-dimethylamino-6-tert-butylphenoxy)-zirconium dichloride,bis(2-dimethylamino-4-tert-butylphenoxy)zirconium dichloride,bis(2-dimethylamino-4,6-di-tert-butylphenoxy)zirconium dichloride,bis(2-dimethylamino-4,6-diisopropylphenoxy)zirconium dichloride,bis(2-dimethylamino-4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenoxy)zirconium dichloride,bis(2-dimethylamino-4-tert-butyl-6-methylphenoxy)zirconium dichloride,bis(2-methoxyphenoxy)zirconium dichloride,bis(2-diphenylphosphino-6-trimethylsilylphenoxy)zirconium dichloride,bis(2-diphenylphosphinothiophenoxy)-zirconium dichloride,bis(2-diphenylphosphino-6-methylthiophenoxy)zirconium dichloride,bis(2-diphenylphosphino-6-iso-propylthiophenoxy)zirconium dichloride,bis(2-diphenylphosphino-6-tert-butylthiophenoxy)zirconium dichloride,bis(2-diphenylphosphino-4,6-di-tert-butylphenoxy)zirconium dichloride,bis(2-diphenylphosphino-4,6-di-iso-propylthiophenoxy)zirconiumdichloride, bis(2-dimethylaminothiophenoxy)zirconium dichloride,bis(2-dimethylamino-6-iso-propylthiophenoxy)zirconium dichloride,bis(2-dimethylamino-6-tert-butylthiophenoxy)zirconium dichloride,bis(2-dimethylamino-4,6-di-tert-butylthiophenoxy)zirconium dichloride,bis(2-dimethylamino-4-methyl-6-tert-butylthiophenoxy)zirconiumdichloride, bis(2-methoxythiophenoxy)zirconium dichloride,bis(2-diphenylphosphino-6-trimethylsilylthiophenoxy)-zirconiumdichloride and compounds obtained by substituting zirconium contained inthese compounds with titanium or hafnium. It is a matter of course thatthe examples shall not be restricted to these compounds.

The catalyst for polymerizing olefin according to the present inventioncomprises (A) the transition metal compound represented by Formula (I)described above and an activation cocatalyst as principal components. Asthe above activation cocatalyst, (B) a compound which can be reactedwith the transition metal compound of the component (A) or a derivativethereof to form an ionic complex, or clay, clay mineral or anion-exchangeable compound and (C) an organic aluminum compound used ifnecessary can be nominated.

Regarding the compound that can be reacted with the transition metalcompound of the component (A) or the derivative thereof to form an ioniccomplex out of the components (B), (B-1) an ionic compound which isreacted with the transition metal compound of the component (A) to forman ionic complex, (B-2) aluminoxane, or (B-3) a Lewis acid canpreferably be given from the viewpoint that the polymerization activityis high and the catalyst cost can be reduced.

Any compounds can be used as the (B-1) component as long as they areionic compounds which are reacted with the transition metal compound ofthe component (A) to form ionic complexes, but particularly compoundsrepresented by the following Formulas (II) and (III) are preferred fromthe viewpoint that polymerization active sites can efficiently beformed:

([L¹−R⁷]^(h+))_(a)([Z]⁻)_(b)  (II)

([L²]^(h+))_(a)([Z]⁻)₆  (III)

(Provided that L² is M¹, R⁸R⁹M², R¹⁰ ₃C or R¹¹M²).

In Formulas (II) and (III), L¹ represents a Lewis base, and [Z]⁻represents a non-coordinative anion [Z¹]⁻ or [Z²]⁻, in which [Z¹]⁻ is ananion obtained by combining plural groups with an element, that is,[M³G¹G² . . . G^(f)] (in which M³ represents an element of the 5th to15th group in the periodic table, preferably an element of the 13th to15th group in the periodic table. In the above-description, G¹ to G^(f)each represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1to 20 carbon atoms, a dialkylamino group having 2 to 40 carbon atoms, analkoxyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 6 to 20carbon atoms, an aryloxy group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, an alkylarylgroup having 7 to 40 carbon atoms, an arylalkyl group having 7 to 40carbon atoms, a halogen-substituted hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20carbon atoms, an acyloxyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an organicmetalloid group or a hetero atom-containing hydrocarbon group having 2to 20 carbon atoms. Among G¹ to G^(f), two or more groups may becombined to form a ring. Further in above description, f represents aninteger of [(valency of the central metal M³)+1]), [Z²]⁻ represents aBröensted acid alone in which a logarithm of an inverse number of anacid dissociation constant (pKa) is −10 or less or a conjugate baseobtained by combining a Brönsted acid with a Lewis base or a conjugatebase which is usually defined as a superacid, and it may be coordinatedwith a Lewis acid. Furthermore in the above description, R⁷ represents ahydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an aryl grouphaving 6 to 20 carbon atoms, an alkylaryl group or an arylalkyl group;R⁸ and R⁹ each represent a cyclopentadienyl group, a substitutedcyclopentadienyl group, a substituted indenyl group, a fluorenyl groupor a substituted fluorenyl group; R¹⁰ represents an alkyl group having 1to 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group, an alkylaryl group or an arylalkylgroup; R¹¹ represents a macrocyclic ligand such as tetraphenylporphyrinand phthalocyanine. Moreover in the above-description, h is an ionicvalency of [L¹—R⁷] and [L²] and represents an integer of 1 to 3; a is aninteger of 1 or more; b is (h×a); M¹ represents an element of the 1st to3rd, 11th to 13th or 17th group in the periodic table; and M² representsan element of the 7th to 12th group in the periodic table.

In this respect, typical examples of L¹ are amines such as ammonia,methylamine, aniline, dimethylamine, diethylamine, N-methylaniline,diphenylamine, N,N-dimethylaniline, trimethylamine, triethylamine,tri-n-butylamine, methyldiphenylamine, pyridine,p-bromo-N,N-dimethylaniline and p-nitro-N,N-dimethylaniline, phosphinessuch as triethylphosphine, triphenylphosphine and diphenylphosphine,thioethers such as tetrahydrothiophene, esters such as ethyl benzoateand nitriles such as acetonitrile and benzonitrile.

Hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, benzyl and triethyl can be given as thespecific examples of R⁷, and cyclopentadienyl, methylcyclopentadieny,ethylcyclopentadienyl and pentamethylcyclopentadienyl can be given asthe specific examples of R⁸ and R⁹. Phenyl, p-tolyl and p-methoxyphenylcan be given as the specific examples of R¹⁰. Tetraphenylporphyrin,phthalocyanine and methallyl can be given as the specific examples ofR¹¹. Also, Li, Na, K, Ag, Cu, Br and I can be given as the specificexamples of M¹, and Mn, Fe, Co, Ni and Zn can be given as the specificexamples of M².

Further, in [Z¹]⁻, that is, [M³G¹G² . . . G^(f)], B, Al, Si, P, As andSb are preferred as the specific examples of M³, and B or Al ispreferred. The specific examples of G¹, G² to G^(f) include thedialkylamino group such as dimethylamino and diethylamino; the alkoxylgroup or aryloxy group such as methoxy, ethoxy, n-butoxy and phenoxy;the hydrocarbon group such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl,n-butyl, isobutyl, n-octyl, n-eicosyl, phenyl, p-tolyl, benzyl,4-t-butylphenyl and 3,5-dimethylphenyl; the halogen atom such asfluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine; the hetero atom-containinghydrocarbon group such as p-fluorophenyl, 3,5-difluorophenyl,pentachlorophenyl, 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl, pentafluorophenyl,3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl and bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl; and theorganic metaloid group such as pentamethylantimony, trimethylsilyl,trimethylgermyl, diphenylarsine, dicyclohexyantimony and diphenylboron.

Typical examples of the non-coordinative anion, that is, the Brönstedacid alone in which pKa is −10 or less or the conjugate base [Z²]⁻obtained by combining a Brönsted acid with a Lewis acid aretrifluoromethanesulfonic acid anion (CF₃SO₃)⁻,bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) methyl anion,bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) benzyl anion,bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide, perchlorate anion (ClO₄)⁻,trifluoroacetic acid anion (CF₃CO₂)⁻, hexafluoroantimony anion (SbF₆)⁻,fluorosulfonic acid anion (FSO₃)⁻, chlorosulfonic acid anion (ClSO₃)⁻,fluorosulfonic acid anion/antimony pentafluoride (FSO₃/SbF₅)⁻,fluorosulfonic acid anion/arsenic pentafluoride (FSO₃/AsF₅) andtrifluoromethanesulfonic acid anion/antimony pentafluoride(CF₃SO₃/SbF₅)⁻.

Typical examples of the ionic compound which is reacted with thetransition metal compound of the component (A) described above to formthe ionic complex, that is, the (B-1) component compound aretriethylammonium tetraphenylborate, tri-n-butylammoniumtetraphenyl-borate, trimethylammonium tetraphenylborate,tetraethylammonium tetraphenylborate, methyl (tri-n-butyl) ammoniumtetraphenylborate, benzyl (tri-n-butyl) ammonium tetraphenylborate,dimethyldiphenyl-ammonium tetraphenylborate, triphenyl(methyl)ammoniumtetraphenylborate, trimethylanilinium tetraphenyl-borate,methylpyridinium tetraphenylborate, benzylpyridinium tetraphenylborate,methyl(2-cyanopyridinium) tetraphenylborate, triethylammoniumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, tri-n-butylammoniumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, triphenylammoniumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, tetra-n-butylammoniumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)-borate, tetraethylammoniumtetrakis-(pentafluorophenyl)borate, benzyl(tri-n-butyl)ammoniumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, methyldiphenylammoniumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)-borate, triphenyl(methyl)ammoniumtetrakis-(pentafluorophenyl)borate, methylaniliniumtetrakis-(pentafluorophenyl)borate, dimethylaniliniumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, trimethylaniliniumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, methylpyridiniumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, benzylpyridiniumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, methyl(2-cyanopyridinium)tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, benzyl(2-cyanopyridinium)tetrakis-(pentafluorophenyl)borate, methyl(4-cyanopyridinium)tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, triphenylphosphoniumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)-borate, dimethylaniliniumtetrakis[3,5-di(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate, ferroceniumtetraphenylborate, silver tetraphenylborate, trityl tetraphenylborate,tetraphenylporphyrinmanganese tetraphenylborate, ferroceniumtetrakis-(pentafluorophenyl)borate, (1,1′-dimethylferrocenium)tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, decamethyl-ferroceniumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, silvertetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, trityltetrakis-(pentafluorophenyl)borate, lithiumtetrakis-(pentafluorophenyl)borate, sodiumtetrakis-(pentafluorophenyl)borate, tetraphenylporphyrin-manganesetetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, silver tetrafluoroborate, silverhexafluorophosphate, silver hexafluoroarsenate, silver perchlorate,silver trifluoroacetate and silver trifluoromethanesulfonate.

The ionic compound reacted with the transition metal compound of saidcomponent (A) to form the ionic complex, which is the (B-1) component,may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds thereof.

On the other hand, chain aluminoxane represented by the followingFormula (IV) and cyclic aluminoxane represented by the following Formula(V) can be given as the aluminoxane of the (B-2) component:

wherein R¹²'s each represent an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms,preferably 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and they may be the same or different; wis an integer of 2≦w≦40, and s is an integer of 1<s≦50.

To be specific, it includes aluminoxanes such as methylaluminoxane,ethylaluminoxane and isobutylaluminoxane.

A production process for the aluminoxane described above includes aprocess in which aluminum is brought into contact with a condensingagent such as water. However, the means therefor shall not specificallybe restricted, and the reaction may be carried out according to apublicly known process. It includes, for example, a process in which anorganic aluminum compound is dissolved in an organic solvent and inwhich this solution is brought into contact with water, a process inwhich an organic aluminum compound is added at first in polymerizationand then water is added thereto, a process in which crystal watercontained in a metal salt or water adsorbed on an inorganic matter andan organic matter is reacted with an organic aluminum compound and aprocess in which tetraalkyldialuminoxane is reacted withtrialkylaluminum and further reacted with water. Aluminoxane that isinsoluble in toluene may be used. The aluminoxane may be used alone orin combination of two or more kinds thereof.

The Lewis acid of the (B-3) component shall not specifically berestricted and may be either an organic compound or a solid inorganiccompound. From the viewpoint that the active sites can efficiently beformed, boron compounds and aluminum compounds are preferably used asthe organic compound, and magnesium compounds and aluminum compounds arepreferably used as the inorganic compound. The above aluminum compoundsinclude, for example, methyl bis (2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methylphenoxy)aluminum and methyl (1,1-bi-naphthoxy) aluminum; the magnesium compoundsinclude, for example, magnesium chloride and diethoxymagnesium; thealuminum compounds include, for example, aluminum oxide and aluminumchloride; the boron compounds include, for example, triphenyl-boron,tris(pentafluorophenyl)boron, tris[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]boron, tris[(4-fluoromethyl)phenyl]boron,trimethylboron, triethylboron, tri-n-butylboron,tris(fluoromethyl)-boron, tris(pentafluoroethyl)boron,tris(nanofluorobutyl)boron, tris(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl)boron,tris(3,5-difluorophenyl)boron, tris[3,5-bis(trifluorophenyl)]boron,bis(pentafluorophenyl)fluoroboron, diphenylfluoro-boron,bis(pentafluorophenyl)chloroboron, dimethylfluoroboron,diethylfluoroboron, di-n-butylfluoroboron,pentafluorophenyldifluoroboron, phenyldifluoroboron,pentafluorophenyldichloroboron, methyldifluoroboron, ethyldifluoroboronand n-butyldifluoroboron.

These Lewis acids may be used alone or in combination of two or morekinds thereof.

On the other hand, in (B-4) the clay, clay mineral or ion-exchangeablecompound out of the (B) components, clay is an aggregate of finesilicate hydrate minerals and is a substance which exhibits plasticityby mixing with a suitable amount of water and kneading and showsrigidity by drying and which is sintered by baking at a hightemperature. The clay mineral is silicate hydrate that constitutes aprincipal component of clay. Either of the clay and the clay mineral maybe used for the preparation of the olefin polymerization catalystcomponent described above, and they may be either natural substances orartificially synthesized substances.

An ion-exchangeable stratified compound is a compound having acrystalline structure in which planes constituted by ionic bond areparallel superposed on each other by a weak bonding power and in whichions contained therein are exchangeable. An ion-exchangeable stratifiedcompound is included in the clay mineral.

To show the specific examples of these (B-4) components, for example,phyllosilicic acids can be given as the clay mineral. The phyllosilicicacids include phyllosilicic acid and phyllosilicate. As thephyllosilicate, natural compounds such as montmorillonite, saponite andhectolite which belong to a smectite group, illite and sericite whichbelong to a mica group and mixed layer minerals of a smectite group anda mica group or a mica group and a vermiculite group can be nominated.Further, tetrasilicon fluoride mica, laponite and smectone can be givenas the synthetic compound. In addition to them, ionic crystallinecompounds having a stratified crystalline structure which are not clayminerals, such as α-Zr(HPO₄)₂, γ-Zr(HPO₄)₂, α-Ti(HPO₄)₂ and γ-Ti(HPO₄)₂can be employed.

Clays and clay minerals which do not belong to an ion-exchangeablestratified compound include clay which is called bentonite because of alow montmorillonite content, Kibushi clay in which a lot of othercomponents are contained in montmorillonite, gairome clay, sepioliteshowing a fibrous form, parigolskite, and amorphous or low crystallineallophane and imogolite.

Further, a particle having a volume average particle diameter of 10 μmor less is preferred as the (B-4) component, and a particle having avolume average particle diameter of 3 μm or less is more preferred. Ingeneral, particles have a particle diameter distribution, and the (B-4)content has preferably a particle diameter distribution in which avolume average particle diameter is 10 μm or less and the particleshaving a volume average particle diameter of 3.0 μm or less arecontained in a proportion of 10% by weight or more, more preferably aparticle diameter distribution in which a volume average particlediameter is 10 μm or less and the particles having a volume averageparticle diameter of 1.5 μm or less are contained in a proportion of 10%by weight or more. A method for measuring the volume average particlediameter and the contained proportion includes, for example, a measuringmethod using an equipment (CIS-1 manufactured by Galai Production Ltd.)for measuring a particle diameter by a light transmittance of a laserbeam. Further, the (B-4) component may be subjected to acid treatment,alkali treatment, salts treatment or organic substance treatment.Particularly, the component that is pre-treated with an organic siliconcompound and an organic aluminum compound is preferred since thepolymerization activity is elevated.

Among these (B-4) components, the components having a high capability toadsorb quaternary ammonium salts or to react with clay to form anintercalation product (called intercalation) are preferable. Thecomponents shall not specifically be restricted and include quaternaryalkyl ammonium salts, quaternary aryl ammonium salts, quaternaryarylalkyl ammonium salts, quaternary benzyl ammonium salts,heteroaromatic ammonium salts and the like. For example, clay or claymineral is preferred and, to be specific, philo-silicate is preferred.Further, smectite is preferred, and montmorillonite is particularlypreferred. Tetrasilicon fluoride mica is preferred as a syntheticproduct.

A use proportion of the catalyst component (A) to the catalyst component(B) in the polymerizing catalyst of the present invention falls in arange of preferably 10:1 to 1:100, more preferably 2:1 to 1:10 in termsof a mole ratio when the (B-1) compound is used as the catalystcomponent (B). If it deviates from the range described above, thecatalyst cost per a polymer unit weight grows high, and therefore it isnot practical. Also, it falls in a range of preferably 1:1 to1:1,000,000, more preferably 1:10 to 1:10,000 in terms of a mole ratiowhen the (B-2) compound is used. If it deviates from this range, thecatalyst cost per a polymer unit weight grows high, and therefore it isnot practical. A use proportion of the catalyst component (A) to thecatalyst component (B-3) described above falls in a range of preferably10:1 to 1:2,000, more preferably 5:1 to 1:1,000 and further preferably2:1 to 1:500 in terms of a mole ratio. If it deviates from this range,the catalyst cost per a polymer unit weight goes up, and therefore it isnot practical. In respect to a use proportion of the catalyst component(A) to the catalyst component (B-4), the transition metal complex of thecomponent (A) falls in a range of 0.1 to 1,000 micromole, preferably 1to 100 micromole per a unit weight [g] of clay of the component (B-4).

(B-1), (B-2), (B-3) and (B-4) can be used as the catalyst component(B-4) alone or in combination of two or more kinds thereof.

The polymerizing catalyst of the present invention may comprise thecatalyst component (A) and the catalyst component (B) described above asprincipal components or may comprise the catalyst component (A), thecatalyst component (B) and the organic aluminum compound (C) asprincipal components.

In this respect, used as the organic aluminum compound of the component(C) described above is a compound represented by Formula (VI):

R¹³ _(v)AlQ_(3-v)  (VI)

wherein R¹³ represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; Qrepresents a hydrogen atom, an alkoxyl group having 1 to 20 carbonatoms, an aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms or a halogen atom; andv represents a real number of 1 to 3.

The specific examples of the compound represented by Formula (VI)include trimethylaluminum, triethylaluminum, triisopropylaluminum,triisobutylaluminum, dimethylaluminum chloride, diethylaluminumchloride, methylaluminum dichloride, ethylaluminum dichloride,dimethylaluminum fluoride, diisobutylaluminum hydride, diethylaluminumhydride and ethylaluminum sesquichloride. The trialkylaluminum compoundsare preferred as this organic aluminum compound, and among them,trimethylaluminum and triisopropylaluminum are suited.

These organic aluminum compounds may be used alone or in combination oftwo or more kinds thereof.

A use proportion of the catalyst component (A) to the catalyst component(C) described above falls in a range of preferably 1:1 to 1:10,000, morepreferably 1:5 to 1:2,000 and further preferably 1:10 to 1:1,000 interms of a mole ratio. Use of the above catalyst component (C) makes itpossible to elevate the polymerization activity per the transitionmetal, but if it is too much, particularly if it deviates from the rangedescribed above, the organic aluminum compound comes to nothing andremains in the polymer in a large amount. On the other hand, if it issmall, the satisfactory catalyst activity is not obtained, and it is notpreferred in a certain case.

In the present invention, among or after bringing the respectivecomponents into contact, the polymer such as polyethylene andpolypropylene and the inorganic oxide such as silica and alumina may beallowed to coexist or brought into contact. In carrying them on acarrier, they are preferably carried on a polymer, and such carrierpolymer has a particle diameter of usually 1 to 300 μm, preferably 10 to200 μm and more preferably 20 to 100 μm. If this particle diameter issmaller than 1 μm, fine powders contained in the polymer are increased,and if it exceeds 300 μm, coarse particles contained in the polymer areincreased and causes a reduction in the bulk density and clogging of ahopper in a manufacturing process. In this case, the carrier has aspecific surface area of 1 to 1,000 m²/g, preferably 50 to 500 m²/g anda pore capacity of 0.1 to 5 m³/g, preferably 0.3 to 3 m³/g.

The contact may be carried out in hydrocarbon such as pentane, hexane,heptane, toluene and xylene in inert gas such as nitrogen. The additionor contact of the respective components not only can be carried out at apolymerizing temperature but also is preferably carried out at −30° C.to a boiling point of each solvent, particularly a room temperature to aboiling point of the solvent.

Such catalyst for polymerizing olefin according to the present inventionmakes it possible to homopolymerize or copolymerize not only ethylenebut also propylene and other α-olefins at a high activity. Further, thetransition metal compound that is the catalyst component (A) is easilysynthesized, and the production cost of the catalyst is low.

The olefin base polymer of the present invention is obtained by usingthe catalyst for polymerizing olefin described above and can be producedby homopolymerizing olefins or copolymerizing olefins with other olefinsand/or other monomers in the presence of the above catalyst forpolymerizing olefin.

In the production process for the olefin polymer of the presentinvention, the organic aluminum compound (C) may be used by bringing inadvance into contact with the component (A) and/or the component (B) ormay be used by adding the component (C) to a reactor and then bringinginto contact with the component (A) and the component (B). A use amountof the component (C) is the same as that of the catalyst forpolymerizing olefin described above. According to the production processfor the olefin polymer of the present invention, the homopolymerizationof olefins or the copolymerization of olefins with other olefins and/orother monomers (that is, copolymerization of different kinds of olefinsthemselves, copolymerization of olefins with other monomers orcopolymerization of different kinds of olefins with other monomers) inthe presence of the polymerizing catalyst described above are suitablycarried out.

The above olefins shall not specifically be restricted, and ethylene orα-olefin having 3 to 20 carbon atoms is preferred. This α-olefinincludes, for example, α-olefins such as propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene,1-hexene, 1-heptene, 1-octene, 1-nonene, 1-decene, 4-phenyl-1-butene,6-phenyl-1-hexene, 3-meyhyl-1-butene, 4-meyhyl-1-butene,3-meyhyl-1-pentene, 4-meyhyl-1-hexene, 5-meyhyl-1-hexene,3,3-dimeyhyl-1-pentene, 3,4-dimeyhyl-1-pentene, 4,4-dimeyhyl-1-penteneand vinylcyclohexane; halogen-substituted α-olefins such ashexafluoropropene, tetrafluoroethylene, 2-fluoropropene, fluoroethylene,1,1-difluoroethylene, 3-fluoropropene, trifluoroethylene and3,4-dichloroethylene; cyclic olefins such as cyclopentene, cyclohexene,norbornene, 5-methylnorbornene, 5-ethylnorbornene, 5-propylnorbornene,5,6-dimethylnorbornene and 5-benzylnorbornene; styrenes includingstyrene and alkylstyrenes such as p-methylstyrene, p-ethylstyrene,p-propylstyrene, p-isopropylstyrene, p-butylstyrene,p-tert-butylstyrene, p-phenylstyrene, o-methylstyrene, o-ethylstyrene,o-propylstyrene, o-isopropylstyrene, m-methylstyrene, m-ethylstyrene,m-isopropylstyrene, m-butylstyrene, mesitylstyrene, 2,4-dimethylstyrene,2,5-dimethylstyrene and 3,5-dimethylstyrene; alkoxystyrenes such asp-methoxystyrene, o-methoxystyrene and m-methoxystyrene; halogenatedstyrenes such as p-chlorostyrene, m-chlorostyrene, o-chlorostyrene,p-bromostyrene, m-bromostyrene, o-bromostyrene, p-fluorostyrene,m-fluorostyrene, o-fluorostyrene and o-methyl-p-fluorostyrene;trimethylsilylstyrene, vinyl benzoate and divinylbenzene. Those suitablyselected from the olefins described above may be used for the otherolefins.

In the present invention, the olefins described above may be used aloneor in combination of two or more kinds thereof. In copolymerizing two ormore kinds of olefins, the olefins described above can suitably becombined.

Further, in the present invention, the olefins described above may becopolymerized with other monomers, and capable of being given as theother monomers used in this case are, for example, chain diolefins suchas butadiene, isoprene, 1,4-pentadiene and 1,5-hexadiene, polycyclicolefins such as norbornene,1,4,5,8-dimethano-1,2,3,4,4a,5,8,8a-octahydronaphthalene and2-norbornene, cyclic diolefins such as norbornadiene,5-ethylidenenorbornene, 5-vinylnorbornene and dicyclopentadiene, andunsaturated esters such as ethyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate.

In the present invention, propylene is particularly suited as theolefins.

In the present invention, a process for polymerizing olefins shall notspecifically be restricted, and capable of being employed are optionalpolymerizing methods such as a slurry polymerizing method, a solutionpolymerizing method, a gas phase polymerizing method, a bulkpolymerizing method and a suspension polymerizing method.

When using a polymerization solvent, the solvent includes hydrocarbonsand halogenated hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, xylene, n-hexane,n-heptane, cyclohexane, methylene chloride, chloroform,1,2-dichloroethane and chlorobenzene. They may be used alone or incombination of two or more kinds thereof. Further, the monomers used forthe polymerization can be used as well as the solvent depending on thekind thereof.

It is advantageous in terms of a polymerization activity and a reactorefficiency to select a use amount of the catalyst in the polymerizationreaction so that that of the component (A) falls in a range of usually0.5 to 100 micromole, preferably 2 to 25 micromole per liter of thesolvent.

In respect to the polymerization condition, the pressure is selected ina range of usually an atmospheric pressure to 200 MPa·G. Thepolymerization temperature falls in a range of usually −50 to 250° C. Amethod for controlling a molecular weight of the polymer includes thekind and a use amount of the respective catalyst components, selectionof the polymerization temperature and introduction of hydrogen. Further,in the polymerization of olefin in the present invention, the catalystcan be used to carry out pre-polymerization. Bringing a small amount ofolefin into contact with the catalyst can carry out thispre-polymerization. In this case, the polymerization temperature is −20to 100° C., preferably −10 to 70° C. and particularly preferably 0 to50° C. Also, inert hydrocarbons, aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatichydrocarbons and monomers are used as a solvent used in thispre-polymerization. In particular, aliphatic hydrocarbons are preferred.This pre-polymerization can be carried out as well without usingsolvents. The pre-polymerization is preferably carried out so that thepre-polymerization product has a limiting viscosity [η] (measured indecalin at 135° C.) of 0.2 deciliter/g or more, preferably 0.5deciliter/g or more, and the conditions are preferably controlled sothat an amount of the pre-polymerization product is 1 to 10,000 g,preferably 10 to 1,000 g per millimole of the transition metal componentcontained in the catalyst.

The present invention shall be explained below in further details withreference to examples, but the present invention shall by no means berestricted by the following examples.

EXAMPLE 1

Synthesis of bis (2-diphenylphosphino-4,6-di-tert-butylphenoxy)zirconium dichloride

In 150 ml of acetic acid, 20 g (96.9 millimole) of2,4-di-tert-butylphenol was dissolved, and the solution was cooled onice. Then, 5.0 ml (96.9 millimole) of bromine was added thereto drop bydrop. After finishing dropwise addition, the temperature was elevated upto a room temperature, and the solution was stirred for 8 hours. Then,the reaction mixture was thrown into ice and water, and the aqueouslayer was extracted with diethyl ether. The organic layer was dried onanhydrous magnesium sulfate, and then the solvent was distilled offunder reduced pressure to obtain 19.96 g (yield: 72.0%) of 2-bromo-4,6-di-tert-butylphenol.

Next, 5.0 g (17.5 millimole) of 2-bromo-4,6-di-tert-butylphenoldescribed above was dissolved in 45 ml of dehydrated diethyl ether undernitrogen flow, and the solution was cooled down to −30° C. Then, 23.3 ml(37.3 millimole) of a hexane solution having an n-butyllithiumconcentration of 1.6 mole/liter was added thereto, and then the solutionwas stirred at a room temperature for 5 hours. The reaction mixture wascooled down to −30° C., and 3.26 ml (17.3 millimole) ofdiphenylchlorophosphine was added thereto and stirred at a roomtemperature for 8 hours. In this reaction solution, 2.6 ml (20.5millimole) of trimethylsilyl chloride was added, and the solution wasfurther stirred for 8 hours. Then, the solvent was distilled off underreduced pressure, and the residue was extracted with hexane.Subsequently, after the solvent was distilled off under reducedpressure, the residue was dissolved in hexane, and the solution was thencooled down to separate a precipitated solid matter, whereby 1.3 g(yield: 16%) of 4,6-di-tert-butyl-2-diphenylphosphinophenyltrimethylsilyl ether was obtained.

Next, 0.98 g (2.11 millimole) of this4,6-di-tert-butyl-2-diphenylphosphinophenyl trimethylsilyl ether wasdissolved in 15 ml of dehydrated tetrahydrofuran under nitrogen flow,and the solution was cooled down to −30° C. Then, a dehydratedtetrahydrofuran solution of 0.4 g (1.06 millimole) of a zirconiumtetrachloride tetrahydrofuran adduct was added thereto step by step, andthe solution was stirred at a room temperature for one hour. Further,the solution was refluxed for 3 days by heating. The solvent wasdistilled off under reduced pressure, and the residue was recrystallizedfrom dichloromethane/hexane, whereby obtained was 0.29 g (yield: 29.0%)of bis (2-diphenylphosphino-4,6-di-tert-butylphenoxy) zirconiumdichloride.

EXAMPLE 2

Polymerization of Ethylene

In a heated and dried autoclave of one liter 400 ml of toluene and 3millimole of methylaluminoxane were added under nitrogen flow, and thismixture was heated up to 50° C. stirring at this temperature for 5minutes. Then, 3 micromole of bis(2-diphenylphosphino-4,6-di-tert-butylphenoxy)-zirconium dichlorideobtained in Example 1 was added thereto, and then ethylene wasintroduced thereinto to elevate the pressure up to 0.68 MPa.Polymerization was carried out in this state for 15 minutes.

After finishing the reaction, the reaction product was thrown intomethanol to filter off a precipitated polymer, and the polymer was thenwashed with methanol, followed by heating and drying it under reducedpressure to thereby obtain 19.9 g of polyethylene.

This polyethylene had a melting point [Tm] of 135.6° C. and an intrinsicviscosity [η] (measured in decalin at 135° C.) of 3.17 deciliter/g.

The melting point [Tm] and the intrinsic viscosity [η] were measured bythe following methods.

(1) Melting Point [Tm]

The temperature was elevated from 40° C. to 220° C. at 320° C./minuteand maintained at 220° C. for 3 minutes, and then the temperature waslowered down to 0° C. at 10° C./minute and maintained at 0° C. for 3minutes. Further, the temperature was elevated up to 220° C. at 10°C./minute, and a peak vertex in a melting peak in this procedure wasdesignated as a melting point [Tm]. DSC7 manufactured by Perkin ElmerCo., Ltd. was used as the measuring instrument.

(2) Intrinsic Viscosity [η]

An automatic viscometer, model VMR-053 manufactured by Rigo Co., Ltd.was used to measure it in decalin at 135° C.

EXAMPLE 3

In a heated and dried autoclave of one liter 400 ml of toluene and 3millimole of methylaluminoxane were added under nitrogen flow, and thismixture was heated up to 50° C. stirring at this temperature for 5minutes. Then, 3 micromole of bis(2-diphenylphosphino-4,6-di-tert-butylphenoxy) zirconium dichlorideobtained in Example 1 was added thereto, and then propylene wasintroduced thereinto to elevate the pressure up to 0.68 MPa.Polymerization was carried out in this state for one hour. Afterfinishing the reaction, the reaction product was thrown into methanol tofilter off a precipitated polymer, and the polymer was then washed withmethanol, followed by heating and drying it under reduced pressure tothereby obtain 28.3 g of polypropylene.

This polymer had an intrinsic viscosity [η] (measured in decalin at 135°C.) of 0.20 deciliter/g.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1

Propylene was polymerized in the same manner as in Example 3, exceptthat in Example 3, a complex having the following structure (describedin Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 315109/1999) wassubstituted for bis (2-diphenylphosphino-4,6-di-tert-butylphenoxy)zirconium dichloride:

After finishing the reaction, the reaction product was thrown intomethanol, but a solid matter was not obtained, and an organicsolvent-soluble component was not obtained as well.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The transition metal compound of the present invention is useful as acatalyst component for polymerizing olefins and easily synthesized, andan olefin-polymerizing catalyst comprising this compound makes itpossible to (co)polymerize not only ethylene but also propylene andother α-olefins at a high activity.

It is further understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoingdescription is a preferred embodiment of this invention and that variouschanges and modifications may be made in the invention without departingfrom the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A transition metal compound represented byFormula (I):

wherein M represents a transition metal compound of the fourth group inthe periodic table; X represents a σ bonding ligand which is bonded toM, and when plural X's are present, plural X's may be the same as ordifferent from each other; Y represents a Lewis base, and when pluralY's are present, plural Y's may be the same as or different from eachother; T represents a group containing a σ bonding atom which is bondedto M; E is a group containing an atom which can coordinate with M via alone pair and E represents —SR⁵, —SeR⁵, —NR⁵ ₂, —PR⁵ ₂ or —P(O)R⁵ ₂; qis 1 or 2 and represents [(valency of M)−2]; r represents an integer of0 to 3; R¹ to R⁴ and R⁵ each represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom,a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a halogen-containinghydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a silicon-containinggroup or a hetero atom-containing group; R¹ to R⁴ may be the same as ordifferent from each other and may form a ring together with an adjacentgroup; and when plural R⁵'s are present, plural R⁵'s may be the same asor different from each other.
 2. The transition metal compound asdescribed in claim 1, wherein T in Formula (I) is oxygen, sulfur orselenium.
 3. The transition metal compound as described in claim 1,wherein T in Formula (I) is oxygen.
 4. The transition metal compound asdescribed in claim 1, wherein E in Formula (I) is —NR⁵ ₂ or —PR⁵ ₂. 5.The transition metal compound as described in claim 1, wherein E inFormula (I) is —PR⁵ ₂.
 6. A catalyst for polymerizing olefin, comprisinga transition metal compound represented by Formula (I):

wherein M represents a transition metal compound of the fourth group inthe periodic table; X represents a σ bonding ligand which is bonded toM, and when plural X's are present, plural X's may be the same as ordifferent from each other; Y represents a Lewis base, and when pluralY's are present, plural Y's may be the same as or different from eachother; T represents a group containing a σ bonding atom which is bondedto M; E is a group containing an atom which can coordinate with M via alone pair and E represents —SR⁵, —SeR⁵, —NR⁵ ₂, —PR⁵ ₂ or —P(O)R⁵ ₂; qis 1 or 2 and represents [(valency of M)−2]; r represents an integer of0 to 3; R¹ to R⁴ and R⁵ each represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom,a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a halogen-containinghydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a silicon-containinggroup or a hetero atom-containing group; R¹ to R⁴ may be the same as ordifferent from each other and may form a ring together with an adjacentgroup; and when plural R⁵'s are present, plural R⁵'s may be the same asor different from each other; and an activation cocatalyst as principalcomponents.
 7. The catalyst for polymerizing olefin as described inclaim 6, wherein said activation cocatalyst is a compound that can bereacted with the transition metal compound as described in Formula (I)or a derivative thereof to form an ionic complex, or wherein saidactivation cocatalyst is clay, clay mineral or an ion-exchangeablecompound.
 8. The catalyst for polymerizing olefin as described in claim6, wherein said activation cocatalyst is a combination of a compoundthat can be reacted with the transition metal compound as described inFormula (I) or a derivative thereof to form an ionic complex, or whereinsaid activation cocatalyst is clay, clay mineral or an ion-exchangeablecompound and an organic aluminum compound.
 9. An olefin base polymerobtained by polymerizing olefin in the presence of the catalyst asdescribed in claim
 6. 10. A production process for an olefin basepolymer, comprising homopolymerizing olefins or copolymerizing olefinswith other olefins and/or other monomers in the presence of saidcatalyst as described in claim 6.